There are no words to describe how much I loved working on this amazing Dexter Series 8 project, and what an honour to help launch the final ever series of something I am a HUGE fan of. Needless to say Annabel nailed the Dexter cake she was asked to make for the project – her talent astonishes me.

Here’s the press release:

Life sized cake replica of Dexter created (and sliced up) to mark the start of the final series, Sunday 7th July at 9pm First on FOX.

Photography copyright A J Pilkington / Manicks Productions Ltd

To celebrate the final series of Dexter starting on FOX, the entertainment channel has given media a slice of his life – literally! A full sized Dexter cake – created by food artist Annabel de Vetten – was sliced up, wrapped in cling-film and sent to the media along with a funeral order of service for the last ever series of the critically acclaimed show. The end begins on Sunday 7th July at 9pm First on FOX, only days after the US transmission.

Inspired by the name of Dexter’s boat – A Slice of Life – the cake was 5ft 10” long, the same height as Michael C. Hall, the actor who has played Dexter for the past eight years. The entire cake took over 100 hours to make and weighed over 105 kilograms. 24 eggs, 25 kilograms of flour, 16 kilograms of buttercream, 18 kilograms of sugar, 20 kilograms of sugar paste and marzipan, and 15 kilograms of buttercream were used in the creation of the edible masterpiece. 20 blood oranges were also used, the cake flavour inspired by the iconic titles of the series.

Photography copyright A J Pilkington / Manicks Productions Ltd

A Dexter ‘kill room’ was created for the cutting of the cake, the kitchen walls covered in plastic sheeting. Replicating Dexter’s kill technique, the cake was initially cut by a knife being plunged into the chest area before being sliced up. The cake was also ‘dressed’ in clothes to give an authentic appearance, with hours spent on adding fine attention to detail such as stubble.

Photography copyright A J Pilkington / Manicks Productions Ltd

Miss Cakehead the creative behind the concept comments:

“I have been a massive fan of Dexter for years and to be able to mark the start of the final series in this way has been incredible. The cake is so life like that cutting into it was a deeply unpleasant experience and I did have to close my eyes. Four years ago I realised that Dexter’s boat was called A Slice of Life and became determined to create a Dexter cake with one of the Eat Your Heart Out food artists, now I have had that chance. Have to admit though, I wished we could have kept the cake whole as it’s always sad destroying such an amazing work of art, although I have no idea where I would have kept him!”

Photography copyright A J Pilkington / Manicks Productions Ltd

Whilst the slices of Dexter were sent out with an accompanying Funeral Order of Service (you can view it here) for the series, the fate of Dexter has not yet been revealed. Although we know the Dexter cake was cut up, eaten and enjoyed.

Dexter has been a flag ship show and fan-favourite on FOX. Full of twists, turns and heart-stopping moments, it all ends here. As the final season begins, Deb is left devastated by her decision to shoot Captain LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) and save Dexter. She has quit Miami Metro and is working for a private eye (Sean Patrick Flannery) while spurning Dexter’s attempts to rekindle their relationships.

But Deb’s not the only one Dexter should worry about. Homicide’s latest recruit is Evelyn Vogel (guest-star Charlotte Rampling), a psychiatrist with a secret: decades ago she helped Dexter’s father write the code that he’s used to manage his psychotic impulses. Now she’s being stalked by a mysterious killer and wants Dexter’s help.

Who knows what else we can expect. Only one thing is certain – somebody is going to meet their maker.

Dexter: The Final Season, Sunday 7th July at 9pm First on FOX

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You can see more images of this incredible Dexter cake – which I think should also be considered a work of art – in this gallery below. Of course you are welcome to use the images as long as Annabel and the A J Pilkington / Manicks Productions are credited. Please DO share ;-)